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Published: 05 October 2018

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A Brief History

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Published: 04 July 2013

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Aziz Tayob graduated at the University of the Witwatersrand as the first black architect in South Africa in 1969. The practice was established in 1970 in Pageview, Johannesburg. After the removal of Pageview by the previous government, the practice has since operated in Laudium, Pretoria, an area formally reserved for Indians in terms of the Group Areas Act.

Over the past 49 years of its existence, the firm has aimed to create buildings that are honest, functional, thought provoking and innovative. The design approach has been to achieve the most advantageous design for the very limited resources and space available to the underpriviledged communities of South Africa. This has resulted in the maximum utilisation of land, space and cost efficient quality and creative design, free from trendy frills. In recognition of this, the firm has received merit and recognition awards over the years.

The firm has worked on more than 600 projects, ranging from the urban scale down to the small logo design and covers work in the private, corporate and public sector.

South African High Commission - Lilongwe, Malawi

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Published: 17 July 2016

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The South African High Commission in Lilongwe have just moved into their new building.  Construction took just under 2.5 years.

As an embassy/chancery,  the building had to take into account the high security necessary.  At the same time as a consulate,  it had to interact with the general public.  This was achieved through the use of privacy thresholds.  As one goes deeper into the building, the privacy increases.  The earlier parts of the building try to be as 'friendly' as possible as they interact with the general public. 

The intention was also to embrace and be a positive addition to the Lilongwe environment.  The roof overhangs and deep recessed fit in with the climate.  The use of a similar local facebrick blends it in as a local building, rather than as a foreign intrusion.  With it being lit up from the inside, the building gives something to the cityscape at night.